| 12/6/2006 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Illinois Department of Natural Resources Newsbits Highlighting IDNR programs and upcoming events for the month of December Deer Hunting: The 2006-07 Illinois deer hunting seasons continue with the Muzzleloader-only Deer Season, Dec. 8-10 – and the Late-Winter Antlerless-only Deer Season in select counties Jan. 12-14. Permits were issued previously for each of these seasons. The archery deer season also continues through Jan. 11. Deer hunters are encouraged to support the Illinois Sportsmen Against Hunger program by donating whole deer they harvest for processing into ground venison that is provided to food banks in Illinois. A list of participating meat processors is available through the IDNR web site at http://dnr.state.il.us (click on “IL Sportsmen Against Hunger”). Tax-deductible monetary donations to help pay for ISAH meat processing costs may be made through the Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL 62702-1271. CWD Deer Season: Hunters in Boone, McHenry, Ogle and Winnebago counties and a portion of DeKalb County north of the East-West Tollway can participate in a special Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) Deer Season Jan. 12-14 to help control deer densities and the spread of chronic wasting disease. Special CWD season antlerless-only permits will be available beginning Dec. 11 for $5 each at participating DNR Direct license and permit vendors. In addition, hunters with unfilled 2006 firearm, muzzleloader or archery deer permits valid for one of the open counties may use those permits to hunt during the CWD season. Hunters using unfilled permits from the 2006 firearm, muzzleloader or archery season may take deer appropriate for that permit (antlerless-only or either-sex). Check stations will be manned during the CWD season in the open counties. Successful hunters will be required to bring their deer to a check station prior to 8 p.m. on the day of harvest. Hunters who submit samples for CWD
testing will be given an additional permit valid for the remainder of the
season. Check station
locations for the CWD Deer Season, Jan. 12-14 are listed below: OutdoorIllinois: An icy winter scene is captured on the cover of the December issue of OutdoorIllinois, the Illinois Department of Natural Resources monthly magazine. Pick up a copy to discover how the state’s great natural resources inspire Illinois artisans and chefs. Other stories include a state fund dedicated to protecting rare habitats, Winter Storm Preparedness Week, cabin fever, walleye and more. OutdoorIllinois is a great tool for learning about Illinois’ natural, cultural and recreational resources and a bargain at only $15 for a one-year, 12-issue magazine subscription. Call 1-800-720-3249 to subscribe. VISA and MasterCard are accepted. Take a Hike: The Wonders of
Winter Walks are scheduled for Dec. 9 and Jan. 6 at Giant City State Park,
Makanda. Both events are scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. and include a guided,
moderate one-mile hike to enjoy the park’s winter landscape. For more
information on these and other free programs at Giant City, phone
618/457-4836. ICF – Doing Good in Illinois:
Consider a holiday season tax-deductible contribution to the Illinois
Conservation Foundation. The ICF provides assistance to many programs and
projects intended to protect and enhance the state’s natural resources. For
example, during 2006 the ICF has provided more than $155,000 for Illinois
Department of Natural Resources tree nursery production; administered more
than $2.2 million available through court-ordered environmental case consent
decrees and settlements for various IDNR projects; funded nearly $28,000 for
a variety of educational and environmental programs; awarded $10,000 in
scholarships to high school students interested in natural resources and
outdoor recreation; and, allocated $50,000 for enhanced pheasant habitat.
For information on ICF programs or to make a contribution, contact the
Illinois Conservation Foundation, One Natural Resources Way, Springfield, IL
62702-1271, phone 217/785-2003, www.ilcf.org.
ICF Check-Off: There is a new, easy way to support fishing and hunting programs in Illinois through the Illinois Conservation Foundation (ICF) donation check-off option offered on DNR Direct, the IDNR automated license, permit and registration system. Users of DNR Direct are now offered the option of including a voluntary donation of $3.00 or more to the ICF to support fishing and hunting programs and projects throughout the state. The new check-off contribution option is available at the more than 800 DNR Direct license and permit vendor locations throughout Illinois – and as a pop-up option on DNR Direct online through the IDNR web site (www.dnr.state.il.us). Those using DNR Direct through the toll-free telephone system at 1-888-6PERMIT (1-888-673-7648) can also designate a donation to the ICF as part of their transactions. Archaeology Lecture: The Illinois State Museum Research and Collections Center hosts the monthly archaeology lecture Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. on “Miller Grove: An Antebellum Rural Freed Slave Community in Southern Illinois.” Miller Grove consisted of scattered farmsteads that were settled during the 1840s by families of freed slaves from Tennessee. As part of an ongoing archaeological and historical investigation in the Shawnee National Forest of southern Illinois, the rural settlement is providing information on African-American lifeways, the role of antislavery missionaries, and the community’s involvement in the Underground Railroad. The event is free and open to the public at the ISM Research and Collections Center, 1011 E. Ash, Springfield. For more information, phone 217/782-0061. Youth Goose Hunt Applications Deadline Dec. 8: There is still time to register for the sixth annual Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, Dec. 26-27. Sponsored by the IDNR, the youth goose hunt will be held at private waterfowl hunting clubs in Peoria, Fulton and Knox counties. Participation is limited. Youth hunters will be selected by a lottery from all interested youth who have phoned in to register by Friday, Dec. 8. First-time applicants will be given a priority over previous participants in the drawing. A lottery drawing will be held and youth hunters selected will be notified by mail. The hunt is open to youngsters ages 10-15 at the time of the hunt. All applicants must have successfully completed a hunter safety education course, possess a valid Illinois hunting or sportsman’s license, have a Harvest Information Program (HIP) registration number and have a 20 gauge or larger shotgun. Youth hunt participants must be accompanied by a parent or guardian who must possess a valid firearm owner’s identification (FOID) card. To register for the hunt or for more information, call 217/785-8060 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays. Raffle Supporting Youth Hunt: Raffle tickets are available to support the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt, as well as youth waterfowl hunts throughout the state. Only 500 tickets will be sold at $10 each to benefit the youth hunts. Prizes available include a Mossberg Silver Reserve shotgun, a Lifetime Hunting License (which is transferable) and a Browning Mossy Oak 4-in-1 jacket. Winners will be drawn at the Central Illinois Youth Goose Hunt on Dec. 26. Raffle participants need not be present to win. For tickets or information call 217/785-8060. Winter Craft Day at the Illinois State Museum: Celebrate the holidays at the annual Winter Craft Day at the Illinois State Museum in Springfield on Sat., Dec. 9 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Youngsters are invited to create a handmade gift for a special someone. The Winter Craft Day is part of the ISM “Super Saturdays” series in A Place for Discovery. The event is free and parents and other family members are encouraged to participate. The Illinois State Museum is located at the corner of Spring and Edwards streets in Springfield. For more information, call 217/782-6044. Kaskaskia River SFWA Late-Winter Drawing on Dec. 8: IDNR will conduct a site drawing on Dec. 8 for 26 persons to hunt during the Late-Winter Antlerless-only deer season January 12-14 on part of the Baldwin Lake Waterfowl Rest Area at Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area between Baldwin Lake and the Doza Creek Waterfowl Management Area. The special hunt area is in both Randolph and St. Clair counties, so those applying must have either a Randolph or St. Clair late-winter season county permit. To be eligible for the site drawing, hunters should send a standard U.S. Postal Service post card with their name, mailing address and the county for which they have a valid late-winter season permit to the site office by Dec. 7. The site office address is: Kaskaskia River SFWA, 10981 Conservation Road, Baldwin IL 62217. Secondary daily drawings will also be conducted during the hunt for standby hunters. In addition, the remainder of the Kaskaskia River State Fish and Wildlife Area and Turkey Bluffs State Fish and Wildlife Area south of Chester will also be open during the late-winter season. For more information, phone 618/443-2925. Urban Fishing Programs: Coordinators for the IDNR statewide Urban Fishing Program will bring the program to Illinois schools and provide events promoting environmental stewardship while getting kids interested in outdoor recreation. One part of the program involves actually taking kids fishing during May and September at a nearby lake. Teachers may continue the program on their own after the initial session, with the assistance of IDNR personnel. Contact one of the regional IDNR Urban Fishing Program coordinators for more information. Chicago - Brenda McKinney at 847/294-4137; Chicago Suburbs - IDNR Staff at 847/294-4137; Northwest Illinois - IDNR Staff at 815/625-2968; Central Illinois - Herb Dreier at 217/782-6424; and, Southern Illinois - Mark Yehling at 618/462-1181. Holiday Art Spree: Discover unique holiday gift items at the Illinois Artisans Shop Holiday Art Spree in the atrium of the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, Chicago, Dec. 6-8, 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. The Illinois Artisans Shop is a showcase for art work created by the state's finest artisans. For more information, call 312/814-5321. Application Deadline Jan. 31 For Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant Program: The Illinois Biodiversity Field Trip Grant from the IDNR Division of Education has a new annual application deadline of Jan. 31. A revised application form can be downloaded through the IDNR web site at www.dnr.state.il.us. Only the revised application form will be accepted. This popular program offers funds for teachers to take students out of the classroom to study some aspect of Illinois biodiversity. The program makes awards of up to $500 per teacher available. For more information, contact the IDNR Division of Education at 217/524-4126. Funding for the program is administered by the Illinois Conservation Foundation. Upcoming ENTICE Workshops: School teachers are encouraged to sign up for an enlightening ENTICE (Environment and Nature Training Institute for Conservation Education) workshop next spring and summer. Registration is open for a wide variety of informative programs. ENTICE workshops provide expansive natural resources background information, lessons, supplemental resources and Continuing Professional Development Units. To see complete workshop details and to register, visit the Illinois Conservation Foundation web site at www.ilcf.org and click on “Education Workshop Information.” One Dozen Holiday Gifts: Need 12 gift ideas for that special outdoorsman or outdoorswoman? How about a one-year gift subscription to OutdoorIllinois magazine? For just $15, friends and family members will receive 12 full-color issues of OutdoorIllinois, packed with state park features, how-to outdoors tips, hunting and fishing tales, DNR news updates and plenty more. It’s so easy to subscribe: In Illinois, order toll-free at 1-800-720-3249 or online at http://dnr.state.il.us/oi/. Annual Wall Calendar: Looking for the perfect gift to keep sportsmen abreast of hunting, trapping and fishing season dates and families informed of programs and events in Illinois State Parks? The newly released 2007 OutdoorIllinois wall calendar may be just what you need. Included as part of the December magazine, the calendar/December magazine may be purchased for $3, or a full year of the magazine for $15. To place an order in Illinois, call toll-free at 1-800-720-3249 or online at http://dnr.state.il.us/oi/.
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